Walking after weight lifting?

[RebelDogg]

Hey, I was wondering if there is anything wrong with going for a walk after weight lifting?

I ask because I always hear to do cardio type stuff before weight training, but I like to walk my dong in the park just about every evening about 2.5 miles in 35-40 minutes.

I was just wondering how this could effect muscle development, since I've heard that cardio can eat your muscles (catabolism). I try to do cardio on different days than weights. I don't know if a simple brisk walk really counts as cardio, though. I'm doing legs this afternoon, then eating, then walking the dog.

Also, am I actually burning fat doing this since I generally take the walk after my post-wo meal. I've heard that you're just burning off what you ate, and not the fat. But would that help to stave off catabolism, then? So at least my dog is getting a work out even if I'm not really burning fat, at least I'm not burning muscle.

Just curious. Thanks. :animal2:

 

[illiniphase4]

Walking is definitely a low enough impact exercise that I don't think you need to worry about the catabolism affecting your resistance training regiment. And though it's a relatively low intensity compared to other cardio exercises, walking does burn calories and improve the mid to low range of your cardiovascular output. However, because it is such a low intensity (and by extension, a low calorie burner), you diet becomes all the more important in terms of your weight loss, so make sure that you're eating well.

The walk, however, should really occur before your pwo meal. Unless you're giving yourself a couple of hours to digest before you walk, you could easily run into digestive issues (cramping, poor absorption, irregular bowel movements) because walking (and all exercise) causes your body to shunt energy away from food processing.

 

[RebelDogg]

Hey, thanks for the response.

May sound like a dumb thing, but is pwo pre or post? I'm assuming post.

I always heard that walking helped with digestion... I usually give myself about 30 to 45 minutes or so. I was just thinking that they always say to get that meal in as soon as you're done lifting to get into that... something or other window. Sorry... need to read it again... something about your muscles being more receptive to... science... biology... stuff... :action5:

Anyway, I know it's important to get the protein shake in right away. So I try to get the meal in within 10-20 minutes after the shake. Then walk about 30-45 minutes after that. So far no digestive issues... I'm new to working out but I've been walking the dog for 3 years now.

But I was actually thinking about that. Problem is, I usually have to go to bed within two hours or so of walking, so if I walk earlier and then have to fix dinner I'd be going to bed with a full stomach. And that DEFINITELY causes me trouble...

Anyway, thanks again for the response.